Austin vs Barcelona vs Bogota vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Mexico City vs Porto vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 10,978,360 15,520,000 144,900 8,850,000 237,559 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Spanish Turkish Greek Spanish Portuguese Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High Low Low High Moderate Very High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November January - March, December April - June, September and October March - May, October - December March - May, October, November May - September March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1097 $659 $1959 $1867 $1759 $1976
Rent $1650 $932 $480 $354 $678 $778 $717 $869
Groceries $243 $121 $82 $44 $157 $281 $148 $146
Dining out $396 $403 $174 $81 $261 $182 $280 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $22 $18 $56 $49 $45 $42
Coworking space $331 $213 $77 $49 $209 $159 $96 $152
Mobile internet $40 $10 $11 $3 $35 $25 $21 $16
Public transportation $110 $127 $23 $6 $63 $11 $95 $38
Taxis $73 $48 $28 $6 $42 $9 $25 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $17 $2 $45 $24 $10 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $22 $11 $28 $81 $45 $73
Museums and sights $11 $33 $7 $15 $8 $20 $24 $44
Nightlife $124 $112 $46 $22 $110 $64 $66 $66
Gym $62 $81 $15 $9 $107 $69 $56 $34
Yoga $139 $93 $57 $23 $105 $65 $82 $87
Massage $89 $59 $37 $15 $54 $51 $48 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Tigo, Movistar, Claro Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Uber, Cabify BiTaksi nTaxi Uber Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. Latin American. Dishes with beef, pork and chicken are often mixed with flour-based foods and fruity desserts. Heavy influence from the Andes and other Colombian regions. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 104 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 279 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow